Category: Special Recommendation

The Hachimantai Aspite and Jukai Lines are closing for the winter from 5pm on Tuesday, November 5th. The Hachimantai Aspite Line will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 15th and the Hachimantai Jukai Line will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 24th.

In April when it reopens we’ll again be able to enjoy the Hachimantai Snow Corridor at the same time as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, all along the same road!

But first, winter is coming! It’s almost time for us to start enjoying the dreamy powder snow that some have started calling, Hachipow!

The Hachimantai Aspite and Jukai Lines have begun their fall schedule. They will now be closed from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Additionally, on days with poor weather they may be closed all day. Please check back here for any announcements of closings!

The fall is a beautiful time to hike around the summit of Hachimantai. The mountainsides are alive with color, and the crisp cool air is invigorating!

Winter is coming!

Throughout most of Japan the cherry blossom season is finished… but not in Hachimantai! This is one of the few places in Japan where the cherry trees are still in full bloom! Kenminnomori has both beautiful cherry blossoms and stunning views of Mt. Iwate!
Enjoy the beautiful birch forest, cherry blossoms, and Hachimantai Aspite Line and snow corridor all in the same day! It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

Bus access to the Hachimantai Aspite Line Snow Corridor!
(We know you want it…!)

The Sansaku bus that will take you round trip with time to hike starts up on April 26th this year. Until then, you need to take a normal Iwate Kenpoku Bus. There are three options for getting there and three return options. (Each way one is direct and the others require a transfer.)

From Morioka Station East Exit Bus stop #3

9:42 a.m. departure – arrives 10:32 a.m. at the summit area.
10:42 a.m. departure – arrives at last stop (Kozan Shiryokan) at 12:04.. get off and wait for the next bus at 12:10, then arrive at the summit at 12:50 p.m.
12:12 a.m. departure – arrives at last stop (Kozan Shiryokan) at 1:30 p.m… get off and wait for the next bus at 1:40 p.m. – then arrive at the summit area at 2:20 p.m.

Returning from the summit bus stop to Morioka Station:

12:50 p.m. – transfer at the Kozan Shiryokan 1:30 arrival, 1:40 p.m. departure, arriving at Morioka Station at 2:58 p.m.
2:30 p.m. – transfer at the Kozan Shiryokan 3:10 p.m. arrival, 3:15 p.m. departure, arriving at Morioka Station at 4:29 p.m.
3:35 p.m. direct to Morioka Station arriving at 5:28 p.m.

The fare is 1,360 yen each way.

DO IT!

As of today, the Hachimantai Aspite Line is now open for travel! (But please check the road conditions in the morning before you leave as it closes when conditions are dangerous.) We will announce on the trip8 facebook page every morning around 9 a.m. Japanese time whether the road is open that day or not throughout the snow corridor season. The Aspite Line is a long transit road between Iwate and Akita that will take you to and over the summit of Mt. Hachimantai. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this morning to commemorate the event, featuring the city mayor and regional mascots.

However, while the road is now generally open for the season, there may be some days when it’s closed, primarily due to weather. Unfortunately, today is one of those days!

Escape from the lingering summer heat, and get the comfortable breeze of autumn with amazing views.

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To carry heavy baggage using public transportation is a whole nightmare, so for that reason, (more…)

Escape from the lingering summer heat, and get the comfortable breeze of autumn with amazing views.